Jaime Gong

Studio Owner | Dance Educator | Peer Mentor 

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I’ve spent the last 25+ years teaching dance in every type of setting, from public schools and private schools, to studios, theaters and community centers. I’m the founder of Performing Arts Workshop in Jersey City, NJ, and a longtime advocate for purpose-driven dance education that honors both the student and the teacher.

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I hold a B.A. in Dance with a concentration in K–12 Education from Marymount Manhattan College and began my teaching journey in 1998. Early in my career, I worked as an intern/assistant at 92Y Harkness Dance Center and STEPS on Broadway. Since then, I’ve worn just about every hat this field has to offer-- teacher, curriculum builder, workshop facilitator, summer intensive director, nonprofit program coordinator, and studio owner-- and held positions at New York City Center, The Neighborhood Playhouse, The Performing Arts School at BergenPAC, and NYC Public Schools. Each role has shaped how I lead: with clarity, boundaries, curiosity, and a deep belief that integrity matters more than image.

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My blog, Centered, is a space for dance educators and studio leaders who want to do more than just keep up. It’s for those of us who want to teach with intention, lead with integrity, and build careers that feel sustainable and fulfilling—even when the industry makes that feel like a radical act.

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I’ve been honored to share my perspectives for/at:

• DanceLife Teacher Conference

• Dance Entrepreneurs Summit

• The Gold Alliance

• Studio Owner Alliance (formerly I.D.E.A.)

• Dance Teacher Alliance

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Whether I’m mentoring young dancers, facilitating workshops for professionals, or navigating studio ownership in an incredibly diverse community, my goal is the same: create spaces where people can thrive with purpose, without burning out or selling out.